Salish Sea stewardship comes in all forms, but the first step to caring for something is learning about it! A few weeks ago, seven classes from a school in Victoria, BC shared with their friends, family, and community what they had learned this fall when their teachers had them answer the question “How can I be a steward of the Salish Sea?” Students were encouraged to research an aspect of the Salish Sea and come up with ways that they could protect it — and they got creative!
Donor Spotlight: Richard and Dawn Bangert
This month’s Donor Spotlight features Richard and Dawn Bangert—two big SeaDoc supporters who have been regular guests at our Wine & Sea Auction over the years! The Bangerts also have their gifts matched by their former employer. Get to know Richard and Dawn below and check to see if your employer matches donations here!
Donor Spotlight: Wally and Josie Barrow
Wally and Josie Barrows’ connection to the Salish Sea runs decades deep. They started off as visitors but in time felt the pull to make a home on Orcas Island. The Barrows have supported SeaDoc Society’s conservation work for years and are regular attendees at our summer Wine & Sea Auction. Our research vessel and marine mammal stranding response boat, the “Nancy Bee” is lovingly named in Wally and Josie’s daughter’s memory.
Donor Spotlight: Rick and Cathy Svoboda
Maintaining a balance between economic growth and a sustainable environment is a complex and persistent struggle. SeaDoc supporters Rick and Cathy Svoboda know that maintaining that sensitive balance requires all of us to play our small part. That involves not only education about the damage currently being done and the work to address those issues, but also a general awareness that we are all part of one earth with limited and sensitive resources. We had a chance to ask Rick and Cathy about why they support our mission here in the Salish Sea.
Donor Spotlight: Kelly and Janet Nimtz
Supporting a cause you care about can take many forms, and Kelly and Janet Nimtz are shining examples of that. Kelly worked for many years at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and played a sustained role in the growth of the School—which is the top institution in the world. All the while, he and Janet have supported our work in the Salish Sea all the way from their home in California, not only with their energy and enthusiasm, but as longtime donors. They even recently took steps to put SeaDoc Society into their estate plans, meaning their impact will be felt deep into the ecosystem’s future.
Donor Spotlight: Mariann and Ken Carrasco
Orcas Island’s Mariann and Ken Carrasco both had successful careers in biology and remain dedicated supporters of science-based solutions to protect the wildlife. SeaDoc Society is lucky to be one of the organizations they entrust with their energy and their dollars. We had the opportunity to ask some questions about their relationship with this ecosystem and their efforts to preserve it!
Donor Spotlight: Ed Gullekson
Ed Gullekson is a major asset to the Salish Sea, not only as an advocate for the environment but also as a skilled diver and photographer. Ed has worked alongside SeaDoc Society on our annual REEF advanced-assessment dives, which are an important way to track the health of our marine ecosystems. We asked Ed a few questions about his love for this place and his work in support of its health.
Donor Spotlight: Gary Kilbourn
The ocean and the rainforests are the lungs of our planet and without the oceans, we lose everything.
1. What initially inspired you to support SeaDoc Society?
I am involved with and support several key wildlife and nature groups throughout the world. My philosophy is to only support groups who can make a positive difference on the ground, such as groups who move the needle in a positive direction for their specifically targeted goals. The SeaDoc Society does just that, they are such wonderful, smart people, doing great work, and are making a tangible difference.
Donor Spotlight: Tara Craig and Brenna Normann
We’re excited to introduce you to Tara Craig and Brenna Normann—two fairly new supporters of SeaDoc Society who immediately jumped on board as engaged monthly donors. Their employer matches each monthly donation, meaning their support is not only sustained but also doubled! Does your employer offer to match your charitable giving? Ask them or search for your employer here!
Donor Spotlight: Christina Koons, San Juan County Marine Resources Committee
Donor Spotlight: Judy Meyer & Gene Helfman
Judy Meyer and Gene Helfman – the Helfmeyers – taught and researched conservation ecology for thirty years at the University of Georgia. Judy’s specialty was rivers and streams, Gene’s the fishes that lived in them. They discovered the San Juans when attending separate conferences on San Juan and Orcas. Read our latest Donor Spotlight.
Donor Spotlight: Seattle Dive Tours
Seattle Dive Tours is a boutique scuba diving company providing dive tours, training, and travel across the Salish Sea and around the world. They are a 100% Project Aware and Green Star Award PADI Dive Resort. Seattle Dive Tours also built a distinctive PADI diving specialty ‘Salish Sea Diver’ featuring the Salish Sea books by the SeaDoc Society. We’re proud and honored that they reached out with a desire to support our work in the Salish Sea. Learn more!
Donor Spotlight: Janice Sears, on Leaving a Legacy
Janice Sears is a longtime champion of SeaDoc Society’s work in the Salish Sea—her special “home away from home.” In addition to her great energy and spirit, she’s a recurring monthly donor, meaning she has scheduled an automatic donation at the start of each month, and a Wildlifer, the backbone of our program. In addition to all of that, Janice is exploring becoming a legacy giver as well.
A legacy gift is a planned future donation—a way to make an investment in something you care about after you are gone. It can provide important tax benefits, including a charitable income tax deduction or savings on capital gains taxes. Gifts can be structured to give you lifetime use of your property or income from your investments.
Donor Spotlight: Julia Bluth, a Teenage Ocean-Loving Inspiration
Julia Bluth is a 15-year-old SeaDoc supporter who lives in Sacramento. Two years ago, she held a garage sale to raise money for SeaDoc as her Bat Mitzvah community service project. She raised more than $1,000 and will be a lifelong supporter! Julia even wants to study marine biology and work for SeaDoc herself someday!
We caught up with her to ask a few questions about herself and the sea!
Donor Spotlight: Apple State Vinegar
Not only is Apple State Vinegar a wonderful product that comes in just about the most beautiful bottle you have ever seen, but the company’s owners are also champions of wildlife! Six percent of all Apple State Vinegar profits gets donated to organizations that restore clean ocean habitats—one of which is SeaDoc Society! They are also one of the sponsors for our upcoming Cheers to 20 Years virtual event and will have a featured raffle prize.
We asked them why ocean conservation is a key part of their product, from the design to the charitable giving:
Donor Spotlight: Jean Lyle on Leaving a Legacy
You may already know Jean Lyle, who worked at SeaDoc for 10 amazing years and remains part of our extended family. She’s a truly wonderful person and a lover of the natural world, most specifically the Salish Sea. If there’s a body of water, she’s swimming it in. If there’s a trail, she’s hiking it.
A few years ago, Jean pledged a legacy gift to the SeaDoc Society, and she shares her reasons below. A legacy gift is a planned future donation - a way to make an investment in something you care about after you are gone. It also can make a difference for you. Legacy giving can provide important tax benefits, including a charitable income tax deduction or savings on capital gains taxes. Gifts can be structured to give you lifetime use of your property or lifetime income from your investments. It’s what we call a win-win.
Donor Spotlight: Dean and Audrey Stupke
Dean and Audrey Stupke have championed SeaDoc's efforts to heal the Salish Sea through science and education for well over a decade. They've regularly donated to our annual GiveBig campaign and our Wine & Sea auction, both of which are crucial to making our science-based work possible. They are also a long-time sponsor of our Ocean Night event series each winter, helping us bring amazing speakers and educational films to Orcas Island.